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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 13 May 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: May 12 AFNS 13 May 2010
• Airpower Summary: May 11 AFNS 13 May 2010
• Airpower Summary: May 10 AFNS 13 May 2010
• Iraqis Arrest 4 Associates of Terrorists AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Iraqi security forces arrested four suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during separate combined security operations in central and southern Iraq.
• Attacks Kills 10 In Baghdad VOA 13 May 2010 -- Iraqi officials say eight people were killed when a car bomb exploded outside a cafe in eastern Baghdad.
• Seven Reported Killed By Bombing In Baghdad's Sadr City RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- At least seven people have been reported killed and more than 20 others injured in a car bomb explosion in Sadr City.
• 3rd Sustainment Bde arrives in Iraq Army News 13 May 2010 -- The 3rd Sustainment Brigade has made its way to Iraq and is starting the process of picking up the logistical mission from the 15th Sustainment Brigade of Fort Hood, Texas.
• 597th Maint. Co. deploys to Iraq Army News 13 May 2010 -- As the sun peaked over the top of 597th Maintenance Company's building at Knox Army Heliport the morning of May 11, eight Soldiers prepared for a six-month deployment to Iraq.
• 514th Maintenance returns from Iraq Army News 13 May 2010 -- Families, friends and fellow Soldiers waited anxiously for members of 514th Maintenance Company to come marching through the doors of Magrath Gym during a redeployment ceremony May 1.
• DOD News Briefing with Gen. McChrystal from the Pentagon DoD 13 May 2010
• Combined Force Kills Dozens of Insurgents AFPS 13 May 2010 -- An Afghan-international security force killed more than two dozen insurgents and captured several others while pursuing a senior Taliban commander in Kunduz province.
• U.S., Afghan forces work to place joint combat outpost Army News 13 May 2010 -- Soldiers of Company A, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion have been working with the Afghanistan National Border Police to find a good setting for a proposed joint combat outpost.
• Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost AFNS 13 May 2010 -- Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul.
• US: Success of Afghan Anti-Taliban Surge Won't Be Known Until End of Year VOA 13 May 2010 -- Commander of forces in Afghanistan: It will likely be the end of the year before it is clear whether effort in Kandahar is succeeding.
• Afghan Perceptions Key to Success, McChrystal Says AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Changing the perceptions of the Afghan people about the coalition, their own government and the Taliban will be key to success in that nation.
• Remarks With Afghan Women Ministers Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 13 May 2010
• Remarks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a Moderated Conversation US Dept. of State 13 May 2010
• Clinton, Karzai, Hail Results of Bilateral Dialogue VOA 13 May 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday hailed the results of this week's ministerial-level U.S.-Afghan dialogue.
• Defense Leaders, Karzai Honor Fallen Troops at Arlington AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai, flanked by America’s top defense leaders, walked among the white marble tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Karzai Ends US Visit With Tribute to Fallen Soldiers VOA 13 May 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai wraps up his time in Washington on a visit that has downplayed recent tensions between the United States and Afghanistan.
• Unknown disease wipes out half of Afghan opium crop RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- An unknown disease has destroyed almost a half of Afghanistan's opium crop, a source in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said.
• Blight Hits Afghanistan's Poppy Crop RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- UN officials say a blight that has hit Afghanistan's opium crops could wipe out up to 30 percent of this year's yield.
• 1st BCT uncases colors in Afghanistan Army News 13 May 2010 -- The 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team uncased its colors May 5 during a brief ceremony held on Camp Mike Spann in northern Afghanistan.
• 4th CAB fine tunes for Afghan deployment Army News 13 May 2010 -- The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade "Iron Eagles" from Fort Hood, Texas, know a lot about preparation.
• Blast kills two people in Pakistan NW IRNA 13 May 2010 -- A blast two people were killed near an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan’s northwest.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Army Releases April Suicide Data DoD 13 May 2010 -- The Army released suicide data today for the month of April.
• DoD News: Army Cancels Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System DoD 13 May 2010 -- DOD announced that it authorized the Army to cancel the Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System.
• Text of a Letter from the President Regarding the National Defense Authorization Act The White House 13 May 2010
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Submission of the New START Treaty to the Senate The White House 13 May 2010
• New START treaty heads to U.S. Senate for ratification RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- New Russian-US START treaty forwarded to the US Senate for ratification.
• Kremlin says ready to simultaneously ratify new START with U.S. RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- The Kremlin confirmed it is ready to simultaneously ratify a new arms reduction treaty with the US.
• Republicans will seek to delay U.S. ratification of new START treaty RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- US ratification of the new START treaty may be delayed until after the midterm elections to Congress.
• Experts Debate Pros, Cons of US Disclosing Size of Nuclear Arsenal VOA 13 May 2010 -- The United States has made public the number of nuclear warheads in its arsenal.
• Yuma's VMA-211 returns from Alaska aviation training USMC News 13 May 2010 -- Approximately 165 Yuma-based Marines returned home to the air station May 4, 2010, after two-and-a-half weeks of aerial warfare training at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
• Yuma Marines learn to detect homemade explosives USMC News 13 May 2010 -- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. — With the vehicle-borne explosives found in New York City’s Times Square dominating headlines recently, explosive ordnance disposal Marines here took part in a timely course on homemade explosives May 3 to Friday.
• Naval Air Station Jacksonville Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 13 May 2010 -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville held a change of command ceremony May 13.
• USS McCampbell and USS John S. McCain Arrive in Hong Kong Navy NewsStand 13 May 2010 -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyers USS McCampbell (DDG 85) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) arrived in Hong Kong May 13 for a port visit during their ships spring deployment.
• Ground system adds more bandwidth to cluttered airspace AFNS 13 May 2010 -- Installation of a first-of-its-kind aeronautical telemetry ground system at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School improving aircraft communication.
• First career air liaison officers graduate TACP pipeline training AFNS 13 May 2010 -- 5 non-rated air liaison officers joined the ranks of battlefield Airmen across the Air Force.
• Enterprise Launches and Recovers First Aircraft in Two Years Navy NewsStand 13 May 2010 -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) successfully recovered and launched fixed-wing aircraft May 12 after more than two years.
• Pearl Harbor Shipyard Executes Double Undocking Navy NewsStand 13 May 2010 -- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) successfully undocked USS Hawaii (SSN 776) May 5 and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) May 7.
• Navy Advisory Team Arrives in Chile Navy NewsStand 13 May 2010 -- A specialized team of experts in naval salvage and industrial recovery arrived in Chile to provide reconstruction expertise May 11.
• Threats to United States Remain, Northcom Commander Says AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Outgoing commander emphasized that the threats confronting the United States. both natural and manmade, will continue.
• Joint Task Force Haiti Prepares for 'New Horizon' AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Joint Task Force Haiti is preparing to stand down its disaster-relief mission in Haiti at the beginning of June.
• Louisiana Guard Supports Shoreline Protection Mission AFPS 13 May 2010 -- Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Vertical Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion, continued transporting water diversion system materials.
• Russia's space defenses in shambles RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- A group of retired Russian generals warned that the country's space defenses are obsolete and have a limited capability.
• Russia plans to develop 5th-generation 'stealth' helicopters RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- A Russian helicopter company is planning to develop the world's first fifth-generation combat helicopter.
• Vahidi: Agreements will strengthen ties with Tajikistan IRNA 13 May 2010 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Vahidi: Defense agreements with Tajikstan will further consolidate bilateral defense cooperation.
• Defense cooperation MoU to be signed with Tajikistan IRNA 13 May 2010 -- IRI Minister of Defense and Logistical Support for Armed Forces: MOU will be singed with my Tajik counterpart on defense cooperation.
• Navy commander: Indian Ocean security should be safeguarded by littoral states IRNA 13 May 2010 -- Iran's Navy Commander: Security of the Indian Ocean should be safeguarded by the regional countries.
• Cameron chairs first US-style National Security Council meeting IRNA 13 May 2010 -- PM Cameron has wasted no time in chairing the inaugural meeting of the new National Security Council.
• Taiwan-U.S. relations in good shape: Ma CNA 13 May 2010 -- President Ma: Relations between Taiwan and the US are in good shape.
• Asia's first hybrid-powered drone makes maiden flight CNA 13 May 2010 -- Asia's first unmanned aerial vehicle powered by a fuel cell and lithium battery hybrid made its maiden flight in southern Taiwan.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 May 2010
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton Aboard Air Force One en route Buffalo, New York The White House 13 May 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 13, 2010
• General Dynamics Awarded $12 Million to Lead Development of Airborne Network Node for WIN-T General Dynamics 13 May 2010 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded a $12.4 million contract modification to the Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 3 contract by the U.S. Army to lead a defense-industry team in the development of a line-of-sight communications payload for Extended Range/Multi-purpose (ER/MP) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
• BAE Systems wins Pan European Readiness and Sustainment Contract BAE Systems 13 May 2010 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a five year contract worth in the region of £150m by Eurofighter GmbH to provide an avionic equipment repair support service on the Typhoon fleets for the air forces of Germany, Spain and the UK.
• Boeing Delivers Modernised High Frequency Communications System for Australia Boeing 13 May 2010 -- Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has announced that the Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS) has completed testing and been introduced into service with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
• Two U.S. House Armed Services Subcommittees Votes to Preserve JSF Engine Competition GE Aviation 13 May 2010 -- The U.S. House Armed Services Seapower and Air-Land Forces subcommittees today each marked up the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2011 (H.R. 5136). Recognizing that the competition created by dual-sourced engines for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) drives cost savings and reduces operational risk, both subcommittees voted to authorize $485 million in continued funding of the GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine for the JSF.
• ComFut system from EADS Defence & Security completes test phase in Granada, Sierra Nevada. EADS 13 May 2010 -- The Spanish Future Soldier System ComFut (Combatiente del Futuro) is nearing the finishing line. In March, EADS Defence & Security (DS) in Spain delivered 36 equipment sets to the Spanish Army as specified in the Design and Development (D+D) contract signed with the Ministry of Defence. These sets have been used to train the first 25 soldiers from the Academía de Infantería (Infantry Academy) on the ComFut system. The soldiers carried out user tests in flat and mountainous terrain from 12 to 14 April. The system evaluation trials will continue in Toledo until its final validation at the end of June.
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Receives Major Award For 'Cutting-Edge Design' Lockheed Martin 13 May 2010 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II program has been recognized for its “cutting-edge design and technology” with an award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
• Northrop Grumman-Built Submarine California Celebrates Pressure Hull Complete Milestone Northrop Grumman 13 May 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding sector accomplished the "pressure hull complete" milestone on the Virginia-class submarine California (SSN 781), May 10.

Other Conflicts

• Israeli Minister Slams Colleagues Over Jerusalem Comments VOA 13 May 2010 -- Israel's defense minister is criticizing fellow government officials for inflaming tensions over Jerusalem.
• Palestinian Ban on Working in Settlements Creates Dilemma for Laborers VOA 13 May 2010 -- Palestinian leaders recently announced a ban prohibiting Palestinian laborers from working on Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
• UN blue helmets investigating explosion in southern Lebanon UN News Centre 13 May 2010 -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is looking into yesterday’s accidental explosion which resulted in the injuries of several peacekeepers.
• Somalia's Powerful Hizbul Islam Insurgent Group Splits VOA 13 May 2010 -- The most powerful faction of Somalia's Hizbul Islam insurgents has officially cut ties with the group.
• Political stability in Somalia needed to fight piracy - Russia deputy UN envoy RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- The piracy problem off the Somali coast can be resolved only by means of establishing a political stability in Somalia.
• Obama interested in Russian proposals on battling piracy RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- US President Obama expressed his desire to continue working with Russia toward the establishment of a special juridical body to try pirates.
• SOMALIA: Departing pirates leave Haradhere merchants out of pocket IRIN 13 May 2010 -- Merchants in Somalia's central town of Haradhere are counting their losses after the pirates were forced out of town by Islamist insurgents in late April.
• Congress Reviews US Policy Toward Sudan VOA 13 May 2010 -- Several leading U.S. lawmakers say this is a critical moment for Sudan.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: More peacekeepers needed, say analysts IRIN 13 May 2010 -- An additional police unit and more troops should be added to the UN Office in Côte d’Ivoire’s peacekeeping presence of 8,500 troops.
• UN official in Côte d'Ivoire discusses peace process with political party leader UN News Centre 13 May 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy in Côte d’Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, has met with the leader of the RDR political party to discuss the situation in the West African country.
• Karabakh Army Chief Dismisses Azerbaijani War Threats RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- Top commander in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh has brushed aside Azerbaijan's continuing threats.
• OSCE to hold regular monitoring of ceasefire on Armenian-Azerbaijani border RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- Officials from the OSCE will conduct ceasefire monitoring along a disputed stretch of the border.
• Serbian War Crimes Suspect Arrested In Australia RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- A Serbian war crimes suspect has been recaptured in Australia and is now facing extradition to Croatia to contest torture and murder charges.
• Iran Offers To Mediate Between Tajikistan, Uzbekistan RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in Dushanbe today that Iran is ready to try to alleviate tensions between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at their request.
• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 May 2010
• Press Conference by Head of United Nations Office for West Africa United Nations 13 May 2010

News Reports

• Supporters of Ousted Kyrgyz Leader Seize Airport, Government Buildings VOA 13 May 2010 -- Supporters of Kyrgyzstan's ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev have stormed local government offices and an airport in the country's turbulent south.
• Ex-Kyrgyz president supporters seize regional administration offices RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- Supporters of ex-Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev stormed on Thursday administration offices in three southern regions.
• Former Kyrgyz President's Supporters Take Over Government Buildings In South RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- The situation in Kyrgyzstan has turned volatile once again, after supporters of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev occupied government buildings.
• Russia urges Kyrgyz authorities to prevent violence RIA Novosti 13 May 2010 -- Russian FM: The interim Kyrgyz government must work to avoid further tension and possible violence.
• Rogue Thai General Has Enemies on Both Sides VOA 13 May 2010 -- The renegade Thai general shot and wounded at an anti-government protest site has enemies in the government he broke rank with and the protest movement he vowed to defend.
• Explosions Rock Bangkok After Shooting of Dissident Thai General VOA 13 May 2010 -- A dissident Thai General has been shot and seriously wounded, along with several other people at the site of an anti-government protest in Bangkok.
• Thai General Aligned with Red Shirts Shot VOA 13 May 2010 -- A Thai general aligned with the country's Red Shirt anti-government protesters has been shot, as security forces begin a crackdown on their encampment in downtown Bangkok.
• Thai Security Forces Plan to Isolate Anti-Government Rally Site VOA 13 May 2010 -- The Thai government says it is preparing to isolate a protest rally site in central Bangkok.
• Kazakh President Becomes 'Leader Of The Nation' RFE/RL 13 May 2010 -- Kazakhstan's upper house of parliament has approved constitutional amendments granting President Nursultan Nazarbaev the status of "leader of the nation."
• Cameron Promotes New Way of Governing In Britain VOA 13 May 2010 -- David Cameron, leader of Britain's Conservative Party has taken over as the country's new prime minister.
• UN supports democratic transitions in Guinea and Niger, says envoy UN News Centre 13 May 2010 -- UN working to ensure that democratically-elected administrations are established in Guinea and Niger.
• Former Ethiopia Envoy Predicts Calm Elections VOA 13 May 2010 -- Ethiopia's upcoming general elections will not be as dynamic or as controversial as the 2005 elections.
• Ethiopian Opposition Leader Implicated In Murder Scheme VOA 13 May 2010 -- Ethiopia's government is implicating a senior opposition leader in the politically-motivated killing of a police officer.
• General Assembly elects 14 countries to serve on UN Human Rights Council UN News Centre 13 May 2010 -- Fourteen countries were elected to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Council for three-year terms starting next month.